World No. 2 Phil Mickelson held off a charging Ernie Els to win the WGC-HSBC Champions by a shot yesterday for his second success in three years at the US$7 million tournament.
The American shot a three-under-par 69 in a dramatic fourth round to finish 17-under for the tournament and pick up his second World Golf Championship (WGC) title and a check for US$1.2 million.
Taiwan’s Lin Wen-tang lost focus in a four-over-par 76 to end joint 33rd in the 78-man field.
The final day had been billed as a shootout between the top two in the world, but after No. 1 Woods faltered early on, it was Els who threatened to keep Mickelson from reclaiming the title he won in 2007.
American Ryan Moore carded a 68 for third, while Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy shot a 63 to take fourth on 14-under, one better than American Nick Watney (71) in fifth.
Woods, who finished with a par 72 for a share of sixth, had a front nine to forget, finding a canal for a double bogey at the third then falling apart after he drove into a bunker off the seventh tee and took four shots to get onto the green.
Japan’s Daisuke Maruyama of Japan fired a record-equaling 63 for his spot as top Asian Tour player.
■MIZUNO CLASSIC
AFP, SHIMA, JAPAN
Overnight leader Song Bo-bae of South Korea hit a four-under-par 68 to win the USLPGA Tour Mizuno Classic golf tournament yesterday.
Starting the day with a one-stroke lead, the 23-year-old Korean sank five birdies for a three-round total of 15-under-par 201, three strokes clear of the field.
World No. 1 Lorena Ochoa of Mexico fired a bogey-free eight birdies for a 64 to share second place on 204 with Park Hee-young of South Korea and American Brittany Lang.
Taiwan’s Yani Tseng totaled 205 after scoring a 67 and Candie Kung ended at 209 after a 69. Teresa Lu trailed well behind at 212 after shooting a lackluster 71.
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